Overexpression of heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27) increases gemcitabine sensitivity in human pancreatic cancer cells through cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

Aims: We previously established a role for HSP27 as a prognostic and predictive marker in pancreatic cancer: Tissue-microarray studies showed increased HSP27 expression in pancreatic cancer specimens to be associated with better patient survival, while HSP27 overexpression unexpectedly increased susceptibility specifically towards gemcitabine in a pancreatic cancer cell line model. Purpose: To further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of HSP27- mediated gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: Cell cycle analyses (FACS), apoptosis assessment (FACS, nuclear staining, immunoblotting, mitochon…